Tozier earns high tribute

UC Irvine senior track and field star Darrell Tozier has been named

first-team Verizon Academic All-American.

He becomes the first UCI student-athlete selected to the first

team since Omar Amr (water polo/swimming) in 1996-97. Nominee requirements included: being first-team Academic All-District; a

starter or important reserve; at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA; and at

least sophomore standing.

Voting is conducted by the College Sports Information Directors of

America.

Tozier, a first-team Verizon Academic All-District VIII selection

in May, graduated from UCI Saturday with degrees in English and

history.

Tozier won the 800 meters at the Big West Conference Championships

in May for the second time in three years, finished sixth in the 800

at the NCAA West Regional Championships at Stanford. His top time of

1:49.27, which he ran at the Occidental College Invitational May 10,

is fourth best in UCI history.

Tozier also won the 800 meters at the California/Nevada

Championships and UCI’s Spring Break Invitational this season.

CdM baseball academy

* The first 50 applicants ages 10-14 will secure spots in the

Corona del Mar High Fall Baseball Academy, scheduled Sept. 8 through

Nov. 5, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at CdM.

CdM High Coach John Emme heads the instructional staff, that also

includes former major leaguer Jeff Gardner, an Estancia High and

Orange Coast College product, Newport Harbor High Coach Joel Desguin,

CdM assistant Steve Foreman, as well as various high school,

community college, college and professional players.

The academy will focus on improving hitting, pitching fielding and

the mental approach to the game, with an emphasis on fundamentals.

The cost is $450 per player, which includes Sea King hats,

T-shirts, as well as personalized videotaping.

Players will be divided according to ability level and the staff

emphasizes the camp is for kids who are serious about improving. CIF

rules prohibit ninth graders from attending. For information, phone

Emme at (714) 424-7575 (ext. 4002).